sustainability

American  

[suh-stey-nuh-bil-i-tee] / səˌsteɪ nəˈbɪl ɪ ti /

noun

1. the ability to be sustained, supported, upheld, or confirmed.

2. Environmental Science. the quality of not being harmful to the environment or depleting natural resources, and thereby supporting long-term ecological balance.

   The committee is developing sustainability standards for products that use energy.

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Etymology

Origin of sustainability

sustain + -ability

Explanation

"Sustain" means to last over time, so sustainability is the ability of something to last. As a civilization, we are concerned about the sustainability of our planet. Sustainability became a big idea after people began to realize that we were using up our natural resources, so you’re most likely to come across the word when you’re reading about recycling and energy use. If you hear someone talking about sustainability in the context of energy, they’re probably talking about alternatives to oil or coal — both of which will run out in the future. A sustainable source of energy is something that's always there — like water or wind.

Example Sentences

Through a partnership with sustainability brand ChoViva—owned by Germany’s Planet A Foods—it created a product formulated from fermented and roasted sunflower seeds and oats.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

In Micron’s case, questions like those demand a deep think on the sustainability of AI spending.

From Barron's • Apr. 16, 2026

Investors have worried about Microsoft’s growth rate in the cloud and the sustainability of the company’s software business as new AI tools gain steam.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

As for sustainability, consultants are finite - and tiring of strike action.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

Understanding the interconnectedness between humans and natural ecosystems is a key element in the quest for panda sustainability.

From "Camp Panda" by Catherine Thimmesh